Elevator signaling apparatus.



R. A. GRISWOLD & J. ZANG. ELEVATOR SIGNALING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29,1909.

Patented Aug., 23, 1910.

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R. A. GRISWOLD & J. ZANGr.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 23,1910. I

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ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROY A. GRISWOLD AND JOHN ZANG, OF SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

ELEVATOR SIGNALING APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that We, RoY A. GRIswoLD and JOHN Zane, citizens of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of \Nashington, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevator Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to elevator signaling apparatus and, more especially, to improvements in the devices of this character which were illustrated and described in Letters-Patent N 0. 929,211, granted to us July 27, 1909.

The object of these improvements is to render the apparatus more generally useful by affording devices within a number of elevator-cabs which will be interoperative with respect to the various cabs to indicate to the several operators when at either end of the shaft the positions of the other cabs according to a prearranged plan of operation so as to systematize the movements of the cabs by allowing a proper interval in the starting of the respective cabs.

The invention consists in the employment of apparatus which are actuated by the various cabs from predetermined stations or positions in their routes to designate through suitable lights upon each cab the locations of the other cabs with respect to certain positions which they occupy.

The invention further consists in the novel construction, adaptation and combination of elements, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the wiring system employed in operating the signaling devices of three associated elevator-cabs. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal elevation of one of the signal circuit controlling devices and the operative connections therefor with an elevator. Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken through 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the traveler provided with the movable contacts of the multipolar switch, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. 5 is an underside view of Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 are face views of a set of plates which constitute the stationary contacts of the above referred to multipolar switch. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view of the traveler and illustrating the preferred manner of connecting the movable contacts therewith.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 29, 1909.

Patented Aug. 23, 1910. Serial No. 505,094.

In the following description of the invention the term elevator is to be understood to mean a passenger elevator-cab such as is used in ofiice or hotel buildings.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention we show in Fig. 1 a system of three elevators, designated by A, B and C, though it it not limited thereto. The elevators are each provided with hoisting and lowering gear which may consist of an overhead shaft 10, Fig. 2, which carries a cable-sheave 11. Upon this shaft is mount-- ed a pulley 12 for an endless belt 13 to transmit rotary motion through a driven pulley let to another shaft 15. The latter is journaled in bearing-boxes 16 of standards 17 and intermediate thereof the shaft is screw threaded, as indicated. Mounted upon the threaded portion of shaft 15 is an internally threaded sleeve 18 which is rigidly connected to or formed integral with a pendent arm 19. To compensate for the wear of the screw-threads and afford considerable friction between the sleeve and the shaft, said sleeve is slotted, as at 18, Fig. 3, and provided with apertured ears 18 for a take-up bolt 20. To the lower end of the arm 19 is fixedly secured, as by screws 21, Fig. 4c, a pair of blocks 22 which are formed of a material having a poor conductivity for electricity. These blocks are in spaced relation with each other and arranged parallel to the shaft 15. Provided near the ends of the blocks are metallic elements 23, 23 and 24, 24 to serve as electric conductors or brush elements, which are mounted for lateral reciprocation in casings 25 and are individually pressed outwardly by springs 26. The outward movement of such elements is, however, limited by the length of travel of a pin 27, see Fig. 8, secured to each and extending into slots 28 provided in the respective casings. The elements 23,. 23 are disposed in pairs which are located near each end of the blocks, one pair, 23, of said elements being arranged to protrude from one side of the pair of blocks while the other pair, 23, protrude from the opposite side, as best shown in Fig. 5. The elements 23 and 23 are desirably disposed to be in the same plane and are respectively coupled by electrical conductors 29 and 29. The elements 24 and 24 are arranged in a different plane from that of the studs 23, 23 and protrude from opposite sides of the pair of blocks and are disposed to be in proximity to the opposite ends of the same. The elements 24, 24: are connected by a con ductor 30.

Longitudinal bars 31 are secured. to the standards 17 to furnish supports for insulating bars 32 which, in turn, support two rows of plates respectively designated, in Figs. 3, 6 and 7, by 33, 33 and 34, 3 1. These plates serve as the immovable contacts of the referred to multipolar switches. The several rows of contact plates are likewise arranged to be parallel with the axis of the shaft 15 and disposed upon opposite sides of a vertical plane produced through said axis. When an elevator is ascending or descending, the shaft 10 of the cable-sheave thereof causes the respective shaft 15 to rotate in unison through the offices of the driving-belt 13. VVhereupon the screw-thread of a shaft 15 engages the sleeve of the traveler 19 and causes the progressive movement of the latter until it is stopped by encountering one of the shaft bearing-boxes 16.

The sleeve being thus prevented from further travel, further movement which may be imparted to the belt 13 will be lost by the slipping of the latter upon the pulleys thereof. By reason of the friction ensuing between the sleeve of a traveler and the operating screw therefor, the traveler will be tilted in one direction or the other corresponding with the direction of the shafts rotation such that the movable contacts of the traveler will wipe against the successive fixed contact plates upon one side or the other. That is to say, when an elevator is descending the traveler will be maintained against the plates 33, 33, or in the position in which it is shown in Fig. 3; while in ascending itwill be tilted against the plates 34, 34.

Within each elevator is a signal device or devices, such as incandescent lamps m, 1 which are connected in incomplete circuits by wires with a source of electric current supply, as by wires and in Fig. 1. The aforedescribed multipolar switches are included in these circuits, as well as the bipolar switches A, B, G and D and the switch E.

The functions of the various wires and switches will be best understood from the following explanation of Lheoperation of the invention.

When elevators A and B only are operated then the switch E would be thrown over to occupy the position in which it is indicated by broken lines E in Fig. 1. Assuming that the elevator A is at the bottom of its travel and that elevator B is ascending and in so doing causes the traveler thereof to wipe against the immovable plates to the right of its group B. Then elevator B reaches the top of its shaft the contacts 23 will close the gap between the contact plates a and b which completes one side of the affected circuit which will cause a current to take the following defined course,-starting at the side of the main line switch D, thence through three-point switch E, at E, through wire connection 6 and switch B and wire F to the previously coupled contacts a-b, thence by wire G to the lamp 3/ of the elevator A which is at the bottom of its shaft. The current proceeds by wire H to contact fof multipolar switch A and thence is transmitted through the elements 24 and wire 30, of the traveler for the elevator A, to contact 9 wherefrom it passes through wires N and J and switch D to the side of the main line. By the lamp g of the elevator A being illuminated the operator of the latter is apprised that the elevator B is at the top floor of the building and it is to be understood as a signal, with two elevators operating, for the elevator A to leave the bottom. 'The elevator A will then ascend and thereby actuates its traveler to have the contacts 23 thereof close the gap between contacts (Z and e of the A group, whereupon a circuit will be completed to illuminate the lamp a: of the other elevator to notify the operator of the latter to start his elevator downward. The route of the last mentioned circuit course is from the side of the main line through switches D and E, wire 6 the left hand pole of switch A, thence by wire K to contact 6 (group A)whence it is bridged to contact (Z, wherefrom it is led by wires L and M to and from the lamp a of elevator B to contact Z to be conducted by the coupled contacts 21 to contact m from which it is led by wire N to the wire J which is connected with the side of the main line. lVhere one or more of the elevators are unemployed, light circuits may be temporarily out out by making the respective switches A, B or C inoperative.

WVhen three elevators are to be operated, the switch E is moved into the position in which it is represented by full lines in the view. Assuming that the elevators A, B, and C are in the positions shown and that elevator B is descending and at a predetermined point in the length of its travel, for example, at the mid-height of the shaft therefor, the traveler through the medium of the contacts 23 closes the gap between the contacts 07) of group B. The 010- sure of this circuit will effect the How of the current from the side of the main line through switch E to wire 6" thence through right side of switch B to wire 0 then through the now coupled contacts p-o wherefrom it is conducted by wires P, G to the lamp y of any elevator which may be at the bottom (as of A in the illustration) or of an elevator which may be in proximity to and traveling toward the bottom. From this lamp y the circuit is through wire H to contact 7' of the respective group A of the stationary contacts, thence by contacts 24 of the traveler of elevator A to the contact 9 therefor and from there it passes through wires N and J to the side of the main line. By thus illuminating the lamp of an elevator at or nearing the bottom a signal is given the operator of such elevator that another elevator is descending from said predetermined point and is thereby signaled to start his elevator upward. The elevator A as it ascends, at a predetermined elevation effects, through the oflices of the movable contacts 23, the closing of the gap between the contacts cZ0. This will complete a cir cuit to conduct a current from side of the main line through switch E, wire a and the right pole of switch A to the wire S to the then coupled contacts 0(l, whence it passes through wires L to the lamp at of any elevator at or nearing the top, as of elevator C. Returning, the current passes through wire M of such circuit to the contact Z thereof whence it is conducted to contact m through the brushes 24 of the traveler and continuing is led by wires N and J to the side of the main line. This illumination of the lamp of an elevator at or nearing the top of its shaft by an ascending elevator passing a predetermined point serves to signal the operator of the upper elevator to have the latter proceed in its downward travel.

The foregoing examples will, it is thought, clearly indicate the scope of the invention in affording signal means operative in elevators when at or nearing the ends of their respective routes of travel and adaptable for use with two or a greater number of elevators at the will of the operators.

Having described our inventiomwhat we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is

1. An elevator starting and signaling device, comprising in combination with a plurality of elevators, a plurality of automatic multipolar switches operative by said elevators, and a signal in each of said elevators, all of said signals being in circuit with each of said switches, said signals being adapted to be operated at predetermined intervals by an approaching car, en route in either shaft.

2. An elevator starting and signaling device, comprising in combination with a plurality of elevators, a plurality of automatic multipolar switches operative by said elevators and signals in each of said elevators, all of said signals being in circuit with each of said switches, said switches comprising two series of oppositely disposed stationary contacts, a movable contact adapted to travel between said contacts and engage each series of contacts in succession, and means for operating said movable contact from its respective elevator.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a plurality of elevators and a signal provided in each elevator, of a plurality of automatic multipolar switches operative by said elevators and being severally in circuit with all of said signals, said signals being arranged to be operated at predetermined intervals by the elevators en route.

4. In apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination with a plurality of elevators and shafts, lights located in each of said elevators, and means in circuit with all of said shafts and operative from each of said elevators for lighting said lights at predetermined intervals.

5. In apparatus of the class described, a plurality of elevators, a plurality of lamps within the respective elevators, means actuated by an elevator at a predetermined point of its travel for automatically lighting the lamps of elevators at the terminalof the elevator shaft toward which the actuating elevator is approaching.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a plurality of elevators, a lamp carried by each of said elevators, and means operated by any of said elevators to light the lamps of the other elevators when near the end of the route being approached by said elevator.

ROY A. GRISIVOLD. JOHN ZANG.

Witnesses:

H. BARNES, M. M. SMITH. 

